Christmas shooting victim identified

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office has released the identity of the woman shot Christmas Day at the residence of Johnnie Allen Jernigan Jr., who is now in custody.

Jeanne Dawn Suttle, 39, remains in critical condition at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, said Capt. Richard Lewis, head of investigations with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.

Jernigan is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and is currently in the Wayne County Jail under a $150,000 secured bond awaiting a court appearance today.

"The incident occurred outside in an open area at the suspect's address at 1558 Old Smithfield Road about 7 a.m.," Lewis said.

Ms. Suttle, a passenger in a car outside Jernigan's home, was shot inside the vehicle.

Due to the nature of the investigation, the driver of the vehicle will not be identified, Lewis said.